. >> reporter: chris christie told "face the nation"'s bob schieffer he expects romney to turn in a game-changing performance at wednesday's debate. >> thursday morning you are all going to be scratching your heads and saying, "wow, we have a barn burner now for the next 33 days." >> reporter: today on fox news, his running mate paul ryan admitted the campaign has had some challenges. >> first of all, 47%, mitt acknowledges himself that was an inarticulate way of describing how we are worried in a stagnate obama economy more people are dependent on government. >> despite being down in most polls ryan said the gop ticket will eventually win over voters who are frustrated by a stagnant economy. >> given that we are going to win this. >> reporter: and romney has a lot to gain from a debate says cathleen hall jameison. >> the challenger has the opportunity to establish he is competent to stand up and hold his own against the president of the united states. a challenger who accomplishes that, in effect, wins the first debate. >> reporter: romney has been studying for the debates since june, the last m